Which One to Motorize - Regular Bike or Kickbike ?

[Filibogado]

I have a 350 watt MXUS front hub motor and I'm trying to decide whether to install it on a 21-speed regular hybrid bike or a City Walker kickbike. Main use is recreational riding and aerobic exercise on bike trails and sidewalks and purely for fun. Predominantly for low speed and mild hills that are challenging and fun enough for a 64-year old retiree. I'd like to take a poll and will tabulate results. Thanks for your feedback. WHICH IS MOR FUN TO RIDE?

[Drunkskunk]

Bicycle

[The fingers]

Bicycle, hands down! Without working pedals it would likely be classified as an electric motorcycle or motor-driven cycle/scooter; subject to license, insurance, registration, and helmet laws, etc. Take advantage of the e-bike and freedom from government tyranny it provides. After all, this is what Independance Day is really about!

[Ykick]

Dunno where the OP resides but CA actually allows more power for standup electric scooters than ebikes. I like my kickbikes because they're simple, clean, lightweight and transition more easily between walking and riding. Particularly suited to beach paths and crowded pedestrian areas.

The only serious downside IMO is limited ground clearance if/when the front wheel drops into a hole. Sidewalker brand Willy/City models use 100mm rear dropouts and front bicycle hub motors fit nicely on the rear.

[The fingers]

Scooter law:
The Vehicle Code (VC) does not require registration, license plates to be displayed or the scooter to be insured. Local authorities can regulate the registration for these scooters pursuant to VC §21225.

Even though insurance is not required, owners of these scooters should contact their insurance company to determine if coverage is available.

An operator of a motorized scooter must be at least 16 years old, possess a valid drivers license or instruction permit, and wear a helmet.

A motorized scooter may be operated on a bicycle path, trail or bikeway, but not on a sidewalk. On the roadway, it must be operated in the bicycle lane, if there is one. On roads without bicycle lanes, motorized scooters may operate where the speed limit is 25 mph or less, and shall be ridden as close to the right hand curb as possible, except to pass or turn left. VC § 21226 (D) prohibits alteration of motorized scooters

E-Bike law:
24016. (a) A motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 shall meet the following criteria:


(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.) or the requirements adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (49 C.F.R. 571.1, et seq.) in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381, et seq.) for motor driven cycles.

(2) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function.

(b) All of the following apply to a motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406:

(1) No person shall operate a motorized bicycle unless the person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.

(2) A person operating a motorized bicycle is subject to Sections 21200 and 21200.5.

(3) A person operating a motorized bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility, driver's licenses, registration, and license plate requirements, and a motorized bicycle is not a motor vehicle.

(4) A motorized bicycle shall only be operated by a person 16 years of age or older.

(5) Every manufacturer of a motorized bicycle shall certify that it complies with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).

(c) No person shall tamper with or modify a motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 so as to increase the speed capability of the bicycle
Note Section 3; no operator's license needed, no insurance even suggested, no sidewalk restriction as with a scooter, not required to stay in a bicycle lane if there is one, not limited to streets with a speed limit of 25mph or less, not a motor vehicle. You decide! (that is if you live in CA) Why kick when you can pedal AND quote chapter and verse?

[dogman]

Well, the legal aspects would depend on where he lives.

But I think the answer is quite obvious. Since the expensive bit is the battery, once you have one done, buy another motor kit and do the other. Why choose? It's not a woman that will get jealous of the other. So have both! Because you can.

[Filibogado]

Well, the legal aspects would depend on where he lives.

But I think the answer is quite obvious. Since the expensive bit is the battery, once you have one done, buy another motor kit and do the other. Why choose? It's not a woman that will get jealous of the other. So have both! Because you can.

What a marvelous idea! You mean 2 bikes/2 motor kits sharing the same battery pack? I assume this is what you mean, since I can only ride one bike at a time. I wonder if the battery switching exercise is worth the hassle. Otherwise, I'm ready to order my second kit. Also, is there a local MXUS supplier near Washington DC? The lead time from China is simply too long for me to contain my excitement!

[The fingers]

Very simple to share a battery. Both would be good, but do lots of research. You might need different motor/controller set up for each application, but the battery can be easily shared by both. Refer to polls and surveys thread for Best Hubmotor for very hilly town? viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3025&p=596947#p43060

[Ykick]

OP finally MENTIONED Washington DC but I do wish to clarify my claim about CA DMV and stand up scooters which in CA requires a DL or permit but are allowed on paths. Plus, they're allowed up to around 2HP IIRC.

http://dmv.ca.gov/motorcycles/motorcycles.htm

Anyway, if OP would like to see/read about a couple I've built and used in both NYC and CA for several years and thousands of miles - viewtopic.php?f=35&t=17535&hilit=+Kick+stand

Scooter law:
The Vehicle Code (VC) does not require registration, license plates to be displayed or the scooter to be insured. Local authorities can regulate the registration for these scooters pursuant to VC §21225.

Even though insurance is not required, owners of these scooters should contact their insurance company to determine if coverage is available.

An operator of a motorized scooter must be at least 16 years old, possess a valid drivers license or instruction permit, and wear a helmet.

A motorized scooter may be operated on a bicycle path, trail or bikeway, but not on a sidewalk. On the roadway, it must be operated in the bicycle lane, if there is one. On roads without bicycle lanes, motorized scooters may operate where the speed limit is 25 mph or less, and shall be ridden as close to the right hand curb as possible, except to pass or turn left. VC § 21226 (D) prohibits alteration of motorized scooters

E-Bike law:
24016. (a) A motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 shall meet the following criteria:


(1) Comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.) or the requirements adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (49 C.F.R. 571.1, et seq.) in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1381, et seq.) for motor driven cycles.

(2) Operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the brakes are applied, or operate in a manner such that the motor is engaged through a switch or mechanism that, when released, will cause the electric motor to disengage or cease to function.

(b) All of the following apply to a motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406:

(1) No person shall operate a motorized bicycle unless the person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards described in Section 21212.

(2) A person operating a motorized bicycle is subject to Sections 21200 and 21200.5.

(3) A person operating a motorized bicycle is not subject to the provisions of this code relating to financial responsibility, driver's licenses, registration, and license plate requirements, and a motorized bicycle is not a motor vehicle.

(4) A motorized bicycle shall only be operated by a person 16 years of age or older.

(5) Every manufacturer of a motorized bicycle shall certify that it complies with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (16 C.F.R. 1512.1, et seq.).

(c) No person shall tamper with or modify a motorized bicycle described in subdivision (b) of Section 406 so as to increase the speed capability of the bicycle
Note Section 3; no operator's license needed, no insurance even suggested, no sidewalk restriction as with a scooter, not required to stay in a bicycle lane if there is one, not limited to streets with a speed limit of 25mph or less, not a motor vehicle. You decide! (that is if you live in CA) Why kick when you can pedal AND quote chapter and verse?

[dogman]

I just always make the battery easy to remove and swap to another bike, mower, whatever. I have about 3-4 bikes worth of battery and about 7 bikes, a mower, a weed whacker. Some are cargo bikes, others for dirt, etc.

Closest small gearmotor to your house would be E-BikeKit. Cheapest would likely ship from china. You might look at Yes Com USA, they ship from CA. Others include Amped bikes , High Tek Bikes.